Support for draperies and the like



lsept. 19, 1967 J. vY GRABER ET-Al.

SUPPORT FOR DRAPERIES AND THE LIKE Filed July 2:5, 1965 I5 Sheets-Sheet1 IWW): eye

Sept. 19, 1967 J. v. GRABER-ETAL 3,342,247

SUPPORT Foa DRAPERIES AND THE LIKE Filed Julyv 23, 1965 l n 5Sheets-Sheet Sept. 19, 1967 J. v. GRABER ETAL 3,342,247

SUPPORT FOR lDRFERIES AND THE LIKE Filed July 2s, v1965 3 Sheets-SheetC5 UnitedStates Patent O 3,342,247 SUPPORT FOR DRAPERIES AND THE LIKEJoseph V. Graber and Ferdinand' F. Salzmann, Madison, Wis., assignors toGraber Manufacturing Company, Inc., Middleton, Wis., a corporation ofWisconsin Filed July 23, 1965, Ser. No. 474,397 15 Claims. (Cl. 1GO-345)ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A hollow drapery rod having a slot for draperycartiers is formed in separate rod sections abutted end-toend and aninternal splice extends int-o the hollow rod sections to join the same.Splice locating means are provided on the inside of the rod sections atthe longitudinal edges of the splice to retain the splice spaced fromthe slot and hold the yrod sections aligned. Traverse cord guide meansfor guiding the traverse cord are connected to the splice.

This invention relates to improvements in supports for draperies,curtains, and the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and useful draperysupport including a rod having a separate end member with a pulleyhousing disposed therein and an opening in the end member adjacent thepulleys to provide an lopening for the pull cords.

Another object of this invention is to provide a drapery supportincluding a rod having at least two matching members abutted end to endand spliced together, a mounting bracket having a generally U-shapedportion for cradling the rod and supporting the same, and a means on therod for locating the bracket to cover the lower portion of the Iabuttedends land thereby give an appearance of a continuous rod.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a drapery supportincluding a rod having at least two matching portions abutted togetherend to end, said portions having a pair of projections on the inner sidethereof, and a splice member shaped for engaging a portion of the innerface of said members and held in position by said projections.

Yet another object is to provide a drapery support in accordance withthe foregoing object and including a pulley housing engageable with thesplice member.

A further object is to provide a drapery support in -accordance with theforegoing object in which the -rod has an elongated slot therein toreceive a plurality of drapery holders slidably mounted therein and inwhich the pulley housing has fastening means engageable with the rod forholding the adjacent portions in said abutted relationship.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a drapery supportin accordance with the foregoing object and including a pair of fingerson the pulley housing extending through the slot, one of said lingers`on either side of the abutted ends of the rod portions, and a mountingbracket disposed between the fingers and having a generally U-shapedportion for cradling the rod and supporting the same and whereby thebracket cover-s a lower portion of the abutted ends to give anappearance of a continuous rod.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a drapery supportincluding a rod having a rail adjacent the back side thereof and amounting bracket for engaging the rail, said bracket being substantiallyhidden by the rod by reason of its location.

It is another object of this invention to provide a drapery support inaccordance with the above objects in which the various parts of the rodportion have an identiice cal cross-section and thus may be fabricatedfrom the same extrusion of material, and in which an end portion of therod is fabricated with a slot for the pull cords and with the pulleyhousing and splice member secured thereto; whereby a rod of preselectedlength may be formed by cutting an elongate portion of the rod to therequired dimension and abutting the elongate portion of the rod to therequired dimension and abutting the elongate portion to the end portionhaving the splice means attached thereto.

Further objects of this invention are to provide a drapery support whichis attractive, versatile, and easily assembled.

These, together with other objects and advantages of this invention willbe more readily appreciated as the invention becomes better understoodby reference to the following detailed description when taken inaccordance with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.1; Y

FIG. 3 is a sectional View taken generally along line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing two portions of the rod,the splice member, and pulley housme;

eFIG. 5 is a sectional View taken generally along line 5 5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional View taken generally along line 6 6 of FIG.`2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional View taken generally along line 7 7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a sectional View taken generally along line 8 8 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 9 is a front view of the rail engaging bracket taken generallyalong line 9 9 of FIG. 8,.

Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings, wherein similarreference characters designate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views. For convenience, the embodiment of the invention bestillustrated in FIGS. l and 2, is herein sometimes referred to as adrapery support; however, this is done by way of illustration and itshould be understood that the support may be used with any type ofdrapery, curtain, tapestry, or other similar hanging. The draperysupport, generally designated by the numeral 10, includes an elongatetubular member 12, and a relatively short end member 14. Decorativeplugs 16 and 17 may be fitted into the ends of members 14 and 12,respectively. Elongate tubular member 12 is conveniently formed byextrusion and, in the preferred embodiment, has a generally D-shapedcross-section including an arcuate front wall 18 and a generally uprightrear wall including upper and lower rear wall portions 20 and 21, asbest shown in FIGS. 4 8. Said rear wall portions have their respectiveedges 20a and 21a spaced apart to define a longitudinal slot extendingsubstantially the full length of the elongate meinber 12.

End member 14, in the preferred embodiment, is formed from the sameextrusion as elongate member 12. Similar parts are, therefore,designated by the same number followed bythe postscript prime Masterslides 24 and 25 and a plurality of auxiliary slides or holders 26 aremounted in the aforedescribed slot, as best shown in FIG. 2. As shown,the master slides are provided and connected to traverse cords 70 formovement in relatively opposite directions toward andaway from thecenter of the rod in a manner well known in the art. It shouldbeunderstood that in various uses, only one master slide may be providedfor one-way traverse operation, or t-hat they may be eliminatedaltogether. As best shown in FIG. 7, the holder 26 may be of anyconventional construction and in general includes a body 27 slidablyreceived in the slot. As is conventional, the slide body 27 has a headportion 28 at the inside of the rod, which head portion is larger thanthe Width of the slot so yas to normally retain the slide bodies in therod. Pendants 29 are attached to the holders and are preferablysupported for swinging movement by a fastener 30. decorative slide rings31 may be mounted on the holder 26, if desired, to simulate theconventional rings of a ring pole rod. It is contemplated that, in someuses the conventional rings (not shown) may be utilized with the presentinvention. The pendant 29 has a means for supporting a drapery such asan opening 32 (FIGS. l and 2) for receiving the drapery hook.

A salient feature of the invention is the provision of a rail and abracket for engaging the rail in such a manner -that the bracket issubstantially hidden by the rod or tubular member. This is particularlyadvantageous for intermediate supports on a drapery rod, but it iscontemplated that such a rail and bracket arrangement may be utilizedanywhere on the rod. In the embodiment illustrated, a rail, generallydesignated by the numeral 35, is mounted on the upper rear wall adjacentthe upper end thereof. In its preferred for-m, the rail includes twoopposite facing, generally upright flanges 36 and 37 attached to therear wall by two spaced web members 38 and 39, as shown in FIGS. 7 and8. The rail is engaged by a bracket generally designated by the numeral40, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and which will hereafter be more fullydescribed. The rail is preferably spaced above the slot a distancesuiiicient to allow a master slide or a body 27 of holder 26 to easilymove past the bracket 40 `when it is engaged with the rail. In theembodiment illustrated, bracket 40v conveniently includes a `generallyupright portion 41 for lying contiguous to a mounting surface and havinga plurality of openings 42 and 43 therein for the entrance of fastenersto be engaged with the mounting surface, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Ahorizontally disposed arm 44 extends outwardly from the upright portion41 and has lingers 45 and 46 connected thereto as by fastener 47. Thefingers 45 and 46 are preferably constructed of spring steel and formedfrom one piece by stamping. As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the fingers45 and 46 are arranged so that their outer portions 45a and 46a,respectively, face in generally opposite directions and are springilyinterconnected for compressibly engaging `the rail. Because of thespringable arrangements of the fingers, the bracket not only securelyengages the rail, but is also easily connected and disconnected. Aplurality of teeth 48 are conveniently arranged on the outer end 45a forengaging web 38 of rail 35 and thereby securely holding the rod fromlongitudinal movement. It is contemplated that similar teeth may bearranged on outer portion 46a or that they may be eliminated altogether.It should be noted that the rail 35 is mounted adjacent the top oftubular member 12, in its preferred form, but that the upwardlyextending flange 36 does not rise above the top of the member. In thismanner, when the bracket 40 is engaged to the rail, a majority of thebracket is disposed behind the rod and is substantially hidden thereby(FIG. 1). Also, not only will the body 27 of the holder 26 pass by thebracket, but the upper end of the decorative ring 31 will easily passover the bracket 40 as can be seen by comparing FIGS. 7 and 8. Thus, thebracket 40 and rail 35 provide a unique arrangement for supporting thetubular member 12 in a fashion whereby the bracket is substantiallyhidden from view.

Another feature of this invention is the internal splice arrangementillustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6. The splice member, generallydesignated by the numeral 50 includes a generally arcuate cross-sectionfor lying contiguous to the inside of the front wall of the two membersthat are being spliced together, for example, members 12 and 14.Elongate member 12 has first and second projections 54 and 56 forengaging the longitudinal edges of the splice member to hold the samecontiguous to its inside front wall. For this purpose, first projection54 extends from rear wall 20 and second projection 56 extends from frontwall 18. The member to be spliced thereto, for example, end member 14,preferably has similar first and second projections, 54 and 56', asillustrated in F-IGS. 3 and 4. In this manner, the members being splicedtogether are axially aligned by the splice member 50 and the splicemember is conveniently contiguous to the front wall so as to be spacedaway from the slot to provide for freedom of movement of holders 26 andmaster slides 24 and 25 along the slot.

The above described internal splice arrangement provides room for apulley housing to be disposed inside the tubular members. The pulleyhousing, generally designated by the numeral 60, is conveniently aninverted U- shape having a generally fiat upper end 61 with a pluralityof upstanding bosses 62 thereon, as best shown in FIG. 4. Splice member56 conveniently has a plurality of openings 51 for receiving theupstanding bosses 62 and has a portion 52 adjacent its upper end whichis generally iiat for lying contiguous to the iiat end 61 of the pulleyhousing. The pulley housing 6() has a pair of pulleys 63 and 64 mountedon side walls 65 and 66 of the housing. Side wall 66 has flared portions66a and 66b adjacent either end for lying contiguous to the respectivetubular member in which the housing is disposed, as members 14 and 12respectively, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Flared portion 66a has anotch 67 therein into which an indentation 22 in upper rear wall 20 ofend member 14 may be inserted (FIG. 3) as a fastening means for holdingthe pulley housing and splice member in position. It is contemplatedthat the end member, splice member, and pulley housing may bepreassembled and secured in position by the indentation 22 which isformed at that time. Flared portion 66h is provided with a fastener inthe form -of a screw 68 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) for passing through the slotand for clasping the upper and lower rear wall portions 20 and 21 oftubular member 12 and thereby operating as a fastening means to hold thetubular member 12 in position with respect to the housing 60, splicemember 50, and end member 14. It is contemplated that other types offastening means may be utilized; however, the described arrangement isboth economical and convenient. When the proper length of the tubularmember 12 has been selected, the splice member and pulley housing needonly be inserted into the end of said member and the screw 68 tightenedto provide a continuous rod assembly. It should be obvious that thepulley housing is advantageous only when used with the traverse rod and,in such circumstance, a pull cord 70 will be utilized. A downwardlyfacing slot 72 is conveniently provided in end member 14 to provide anexit for the pull cord. When two master slides are utilized, as shown,the cord means 70 passes over one pulley 63, is attached to one masterslide 25, and then passes around end pulley 74 secured in the slot ofthe elongate member 12 (FIG. 2). The cord 70 is then attached to theother master slide 24 and passes over the other pulley 64 and both endsexit through slot '72. While the illustrated arrangement has the end.member 14 adjacent the right end of the rod, as viewed from the front(FIG. l), it should be understood that a left hand end member could beutilized, or that two end members may be used, if convenient.

Pulley housing 60 has a pair of ngers 69 and 69 on wall 66. Theselingers preferably extend through the slots defined by the upper andlower rear wall portions of the respective members and are disposed oneon either side of the abutted ends for engaging a bracket S0 andpositioning the same. As best seen in FIG. l, the bracket is therebypositioned in such a manner that the lower portion of the abutted endsare covered and thereby gives an appearance of a continuous rod asnormally viewed from below. It is contemplated that other types ofposition means may be utilized and that the upper portion of the abuttedends may also be covered The bracket 80 conveniently includes a body 81for engaging a mounting surface and an outer member for cradling the rodor members. The outer member is conveniently in the form of ahorizontally disposed portion 82 attached to the body by a fastener 83and a generally U-shaped portion 84 for receiving and cradling the rod.The U-shaped portion is preferably congurated to closely receive the rodand, in the embodiment illustrated includes a generally upright rearportion and, a generally arcuate forward portion. An attractive fastener85, in the form of a rosette, is attached adjacent the outer end of theU-shaped portion 84 for engaging the member or rod and holding it inposition, as best shown in FIG. 5. As discussed above, the bracket 80covers the lower portion of the abutted ends to give the appearance of acontinuous rod. Additionally, the bracket is positioned by fingers 69and 69' in an area closely adjacent the exit of the cord means 7 0 whichpass over the pulleys 63 and 64 and then through slot 72. When theoperator pulls on the cords 70, the greatest amount of force is appliedat the pulleys 63 and 64 and since the bracket 80 is closely adjacentthereto, it provides support in such a manner that the force on the cordmeans is not multiplied by any significant moment arm. In this manner,the splice is more effective since the force is not transmitted alongthe rod for any great distance.

While we have thus described a preferred embodiment of our invention,this has been done by way of illustration and not limitation and we donot wish to be limited except as required 4by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A support for draperies and the like comprising a rod including rstand second tubular members having matching exterior faces and abuttedend to end, each said tubular member having -a longitudinal slottherein, said longitudinal slots arranged in substantial alignment toprovide a continuous slot extending generally the full length of therod, a plurality of holders slidably mounted on the rod and each havinga portion projecting through said slot, an elongate splice member shapedfor engaging a portion of the inner wall of each tubular member in anarea adjacent said abutted ends, and at least one longitudinalprojection on each tubular member for engaging the splice member andholding the same in a position spaced from said longitudinal slots toallow free movement of said holders past at least a portion of saidsplice.

2. A support for draperies and the like comprising a rod including firstand second tubular members having identical cross-sections and abuttedend to end, a longitudinal slot in each tubular member and adjacent theback side thereof, said longitudinal slots arranged in substantialalignment to provide a continuous slot extending generally the fulllength of the rod, a plurality of holders slidably mounted on the rodand each having a portion projecting through said slot, an elongatesplice member shaped for engaging a portion of the inner Wall of eachtubular member in an area adjacent the abutted ends, first and secondprojections on the inside of each tubular member for engaging oppositeside edges of said splice member and holding the same in a positionspaced from the longitudinal slots to allow free movement of saidholders past at least a portion of said splice.

3. A ysupport for draperies and the like comprising a rod includingfirst and second tubular members abutted end to end, said members eachhaving generally identical D-shaped cross-sections including an arcuatefront wall and a substantially upright back wall, said rod having alongitudinal slot in said back wall extending substantially the fulllength of the rod, a plurality of holders slidably mounted on the rodand each having a portion projecting through said slot, an elongatesplice member having an arcuate cross-section for lying contiguous tothe inside of said front wall of each tubular member in an area adjacentthe abutted ends to provide a splice thereof, first and secondprojections exten-ding substantially the full length of the inside ofsaid rod for engaging the longitudinal edges of the splice member tohold the same contiguous to the tubula-r members and to axially alignsaid tubular members, at least one of said projections attached to thefront wall at la point spaced from the back wall a distance suicient toallow free movement of the holders.

4. A support for draperies and the like comprising a rod including rstand second tubular members abutted end to end, said members each havingidentical D-shaped cross-sections including an arcuate front wall and asubstantially upright back wall, said rod having a longitudinal slot inthe lower portion of said back wall extending substantially the fulllength of the rod, a plurality of holders each including a body slidablyreceived on said slot and a head portion inside the rod and larger thanthe slot to yretain the body on the slot, an elongate splice memberhaving an arcuate cross-section and contiguous to the inside 4of thefront wall of each tubular member in an area adjacent the abutted endsto provide a splice therefor, first and second projections extendingsubstantially the full length of the inside of said rod for engaging thelongitudinal edges of the splice member to hold the same contiguous tothe front wall and to axially align said tubular members, said firstprojection attached to the back wall adjacent the upper end thereof,said second projection attached to the lower portion of the front walland spaced from the back wall a distance at least equal to the thicknessof said head to allow free movement of the holders in the slot, andmeans holding the members from longitudinal movement relative to eachother thereby retaining the tubular members in said abuttedrelationship.

5. A support for draperies and the like comprising a first elongatetubular member having a longitudinal slot in the rear side thereof, anend member abutted to the end of said first member, said members havingmatching faces adjacent said abutted ends, splice means inside saidmembers for axially aligning the same, a pulley housing disposed betweensaid splice means and said members, means on said pulley housing forengaging said splice means, and fastening means on the pulley housingconnected to said members for holding the members in said abuttedrelationships.

6. A support for draperies and the like comprising a first elongatetubular member, a relatively short end member abutted to the end of saidfirst member, said members each having identical D-shaped cross-sectionsincluding an arcuate front wall and a generally upright rear wall, therear wall of each member having a longitudinal slot therein extendingsubstantially the full length of the member, an elongate splice memberhaving an arcuate cross-section and contiguous to the inside of thefront wall of each tubular member in an area adjacent the abutted endsto provide a splice therefor, first and second longitudinal projectionsextending generally the full length of said members for engaging thesplice member to hold the same contiguous to the front wall, said firstprojection attached to the back wall adjacent the upper end thereof,said second projection attached to the lower portion of the front wallandl spaced from said back wall, a pulley housing disposed inside saidmembers between the back wall thereof and said second projections, saidpulley housing having means for engaging the upper portion of the splicemember and fastening means engaged to each member to hold the same inabutted relationship, a plurality of pulleys attached to said housing, amaster slide slidably mounted on the slot of said first member, aplurality of holders slidably mounted on the slot between said masterslide and the pulley housing, and cord means extending from said pulleysand attached to the master slide for remotely moving the same, said endmember having a downwardly facing opening therein adjacent said pulleysfor extension of the cord means outside the end members.

7. A support for draperies and the like comprising a rod including firstand second tubular members having identical cross sections and abuttedend-to-end, said tubular member each having wall means definingcontinuous front, top, and bottom walls and a generally upright rearwall, said rear wall having upper and lower portions spaced apart todefine a longitudinal slot extending generally the full length of therod, one of said tubular members having a downwardly facing slot in itsbottom wall and located adjacent said abutted ends, an elongate splicemember having upper and lower longitudinal edges and shaped for lyingcontiguous to the inside of the front wall of each tubular member in anarea adjacent the abutted ends to provide a splice therefor, at leastone inwardly extending projection extending substantially the fulllength of the inside of said rod adjacent the lower longitudinal edge ofthe splice member for engaging the splice member to hold the samecontiguous to the tubular members and to axially align the tubularmembers, said projection being located forwardly of said downwardlyfacing slot and said splice member extending longitudinally past atleast a portion of the downwardly facing slot whereby the splice memberis spaced therefrom, means on the inside of the rod for engaging theupper longitudinal edge of the splice member, a plurality of holdersslidably mounted in the longitudinal slot for movement past at least aportion of the splice member and including at least one master slide, apulley mounted on the inside of the rod in the area of said downwardlyfacing slot, and a cord attached to the master slide, passing over thepulley and extending through said downwardly facing slot, whereby thesplice member is positioned to provide free passage of the cord.

8. A support for draperies and the like comprising first and secondelongate rod sections having inner and outer surfaces and abutted end toend, at least one of said rod sections having wall means defining atleast one passageway and a slot extending generally the full length ofthe passageway, a pair of longitudinal rails on the inner surface ofsaid wall means of said one rod section and spaced from said slot,internal splice means having longitudinal edges on one end portionthereof engaged with the longitudinal rails of said one rod sectionadjacent the abutted ends of the rod sections for holding the rodsections generally aligned and in said abutted relationship, said oneend portion of said splice means being contiguous to the inner surfaceof said one rod section in an area between said longitudinal rails, andmeans for securing the other end portion of the splice means to theother rod section.

9. A support for draperies :and the like comprising first and secondelongate rod sections having inner and outer surfaces and abutted end toend, at least one rod section having wall means defining at least onepassageway and a slot extending generally the full length of thepassageway, a pair of longitudinal rails on the inner surface of saidone rod section spaced from said slot, splice means having longi-tudinaledges on one end portion thereof engaged with the longitudinal rails ofsaid one rod section adjacent the abutted ends of the rod sections forholding the rod sections generally aligned and in said abuttedrelationship, said one end portion of said splice means being contiguousto the inner surface of said one rod section in an area between saidlongitudinal rails, means for securing the other end portion of thesplice means to the other rod section, a separate pulley housing engagedwith and positioned by said other end portion of the splice means andhaving a pair of generally parallel side members spaced fro-m eachother, and at least one pulley rotatably supported between the sidemembers.

10. A support for draperies and the like comprising a rod includingfirst and second tubular-members having generally similar exterior facesand abutted end to end, each tubular member having a longitudinal slottherein, said longitudinal slots arranged in substantial alignment toprovide a continuous slot extending generally the full length of therod, a plurality of drapery carriers mounted on the rod for movementlengthwise thereof and each having a portion projecting through saidslot, an elongate splice member shaped to extend alongside a portion ofthe inner wall of each tubular member remote from said slots and havinglongitudinally extending edges spaced from said slots, said tubularmembers each having integral longitudinally extending splice locatingmeans on the interior thereof at the longitudinally extending `edges ofthe splice member and spaced from the slots in said tubular members forretainingly engaging the splice member whereby to hold said tubularmembers generally aligned and in said abutted relationship.

11. A support for draperies and the like comprising a rod includingfirst and second tubular members abutted end to end, said tubularmembers each having a face wall means at the front, top and bottomthereof and rear wall means at the rear thereof, said rear wall means ofsaid first tubular member having a longitudinal slot extending generallythe full length thereof, a plurality of drapery carriers mounted formovement lengthwise of said slot, said second tubular member having acord opening in its face wall means adjacent the bottom thereof, draperytraverse means including a traverse cord means in said rod and extendingdownwardly through said cord opening, an elongate splice means havingfirst and second end portions, said first end portion `of the splicemeans extending into said first tubular member along a portion of theinner side of its face wall means and having longitudinally extendingedges spaced from said slot, said first tubular member having integrallongitudinally extending splice locating means on the interior thereofat the longitudinally extending edges of said first end portion andspaced from said slot for engaging and retaining said first end portionin a position spaced from said slot, said second end portion of thesplice means extending into said second tubular member and havinglongitudinally extending edges spaced from said cord opening, and cordguide means in said rod for guiding the cord means from said rod throughsaid cord opening.

12. A support for draperies and the like in accordance with claim 11including means connecting said cord rguide means to said splice meansto inhibit relative movement therebetween in a direction lengthwise ofsaid rod.

13. A support for draperies and the like comprising a rod includingfirst and second tubular members abutted end to end, said tubularmembers each having a face wall means at the front, top and bottomthereof of generally similar external appearance and rear wall means atthe rear thereof, said rear wall means of said first tubular memberhaving a longitudinal slot extending generally the full length thereof,a plurality of drapery carriers mounted for movement lengthwise of saidslot, said second tubular member having a cord opening in its face wallmeans adjacent the bottom thereof, drapery traverse means includingtraverse cord means in said rod and eX- tending downwardly through saidcord opening, an elongate splice means shaped to extend along a portionof the inner side of the face wall means of said first and secondtubular members and having an upper lengthwise extending edge above saidslot and a lower lengthwise extending edge forward of said cord opening,said tubular members having upper and lower longitudinally extendingsplice locating means on the interior thereof at the longitudinallyextending edges of the splice means for retainingly engaging the splicemeans, and cord guide means in said rod for guiding the traverse cordmeans from said rod through said opening.

14. A support for draperies and the like in accordance With claim 13wherein said cord guide means includes a pulley housing inside sai-d rodand having front and rear Walls and a cord guide pulley mountedtherebetween, said front Wall of the pulley housing having its loweredge extending `alongside the lower splice locating means and said rearwall of the pulley housing extending alongside the rear wall means ofthe rod to be laterally located thereby.

15. A support for draperies and the like comprising a rod includingfirst and second tubular members having generally similar front facesand abutted end to end, said first tubular member having a longitudinalslot therein, a plurality of drapery carriers mounted on the firstmember for movement lengthwise of said slot, said irst and secondtubular members having irst and second relatively parallel lengthwiseextending groove means on the interior thereof -spaced from each otherand from their respective slots and opening in relatively differentdirections, and an elongate splice means inside said tubular membershaving first and second longitudinally extending edges respectivelyslidably extending into said first and second groove means for retainingsaid first and second tubular members in aligned relation to each other,said splice means extending alongside the inner surface of said tubularmembers in an area between the groove means and remote from the slots.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 661,298 11/1900 Wesnidge 16-962,597,224 5/ 1952 Charron et al. 16-94 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, PrimaryExaminer.

J. H. MCGLYNN, Assistant Examiner.

1. A SUPPORT FOR DRAPERIES AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A ROD INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND TUBULAR MEMBERS HAVING MATCHING EXTERIOR FACES AND ABUTTED END TO END, EACH SAID TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING A LONGITUDINAL SLOT THEREIN, SAID LONGITUDINAL SLOTS ARRANGED IN SUBSTANTIAL ALIGNMENT TO PROVIDE A CONTINUOUS SLOT EXTENDING GENERALLY THE FULL LENGTH OF THE ROD, A PLURALITY OF HOLDERS SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON THE ROD AND EACH HAVING A PORTION PROJECTING THROUGH SAID SLOT, AN ELONGATE SPLICE MEMBER SHAPED FOR ENGAGING A PORTION OF THE INNER WALL OF EACH TUBULAR MEMBER IN AN AREA ADJACENT SAID ABUTTED ENDS, AND AT LEAST ONE LONGITUDINAL PROJECTION ON EACH TUBULAR MEMBER FOR ENGAGING THE SPLICE MEMBER AND HOLDING THE SAME IN A POSITION SPACED FROM SAID LONGITUDINAL SLOTS TO ALLOW FREE MOVEMENT OF SAID HOLDERS PAST AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID SPLICE. 